Instant Pot DUO Electric Pressure Cooker Quick Start Manual

Instant Pot DUO Electric Pressure Cooker

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Lid

Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Pot 

Cooker Base 

Parts + accessories
Sealing Ring (installed in the lid)
Condensation Collector
Steam Rack with Handles (Mini steam rack may not have handles)
Illustrations are for reference only and may differ from the actual product.

Remember to recycle!
We designed this packaging with sustainability in mind. Please recycle everything that can be recycled where you live.

USING YOUR DUO

Control panel
We’ve designed the control panel to be simple to use and easy to read.

1. Time
   Cooking time
   Delay Start time
   Keep Warm time
2. Status Messages
3. Pressure
   Low or High
4. Time/temperature options
   Pressure cooking: 3 preset time options
   Non-Pressure cooking:
   3 temperature levels
5. Pressure Cooking Smart Programs
   Light shows the active
   Smart Program
6. Non-Pressure Cooking
   Smart Programs
   Light shows the active
   Smart Program
    
7. Smart Program Settings
   Choose Pressure Level
   Keep Warm On/Off
   Delay Start On/Off
   Cancel

Status messages
The control panel shows information you need to know when using your Instant Pot Duo.

Using the lid
You’ll use the stainless steel lid for most cooking programs, especially for pressure cooking. Always use the pressure cooking lid that came with this Instant Pot Duo cooker base.

Open the Lid 

1. Turn the lid handle to align the arrow symbol on the lid with the unlock symbol on the cooker base.
2. Lift the lid up and off the cooker base.
   You can insert the handle into the cooking base vertically for easy storage.
   Close the Lid
3. Align the arrow symbol on the lid with the unlock symbol on the cooker base and lower the lid onto the track.
4. Turn the lid until the arrow symbol on the lid aligns with the lock symbol on the cooker base.

Turning the sound On/Off

Turn sound on
When in Standby mode, press and hold the + button until the display shows S On.
Turn sound off
When in Standby mode, press and hold – button until the display shows SOFF.

Audible safety alerts (beeps) cannot be turned off.

Delay the start of cooking
You can set a Delay Start timer for a minimum of 10 minutes or a maximum of 24 hours.

1. Select a Smart Program, adjust the settings as you want, then press Delay Start.
   Once Delay Start has been selected, there is no way to return to the cooking settings. To adjust Smart Program settings, press Cancel and enter new selections.
2. When the hours field flashes, use the – / + buttons to adjust the delay time hours.
3. Press Delay Start again to toggle to the minutes field and adjust the delay time minutes.
4. Delay Start begins automatically and the timer counts down.
5. When Delay Start ends, the Smart Program begins, and the display indicates On.
   Delay Start is not available with the Sauté or Yogurt Smart Programs.

Reset Smart Programs to original settings
Reset Individual Smart Programs

With the cooker in Standby mode, press and hold one Smart Program button until the cooker returns to Standby and
shows OFF.

The Smart Program’s pressure level, cooking time, and temperature are restored to the factory default setting.

Reset All Smart Programs

With the cooker in Standby mode, press and hold Cancel until the cooker beeps.

All Smart Program pressure levels, cooking times, and temperatures are restored to the factory default setting.

INITIAL SET UP

Clean before use

1. Wash the inner cooking pot with hot water and soap. Rinse and use a soft cloth to dry the outside. Or you can wash the inner cooking pot in the dishwasher.
2. Wipe the heating element inside the cooker base with a soft cloth to ensure there are no stray packaging particles.

Setting up the condensation collector
The condensation collector sits at the back of the cooker base and accumulates overflow moisture from the condensation rim. It should be installed before cooking, then emptied and rinsed out after each use.

Remove the condensation collector
Pull the condensation collector away from the cooker base; do not pull it down.

Note the tabs on the cooker base and the grooves on the condensation collector.

Install the condensation collector
Align the grooves on the condensation collector with the tabs on the back of the cooker base and slide the condensation collector into place.

Plug in cord (3QT and 6QT models)
When you’re ready to use your Instant Pot Duo, plug the electrical cord into the power socket on the back of the unit.

Note: the 8QT model has an electrical cord that is always connected to the unit.

Test run
Setting up your new Instant Pot Duo for a test run is a great way to familiarize yourself with how the unit works before you cook a meal.

To perform a test run:

1. Follow the instructions for pressure cooking on page 9 using the Steam Smart Program.
2. Add water (but no food) as shown in ‘Using liquid to create steam’ on page 10.
3. Set the cooking time to 5 minutes.
4. After the cooking session is done, discard any remaining water.
5. Wash and dry the inner cooking pot.

Now you’re ready to cook a meal in your Instant Pot Duo!

PRESSURE COOKING

Pressure cooking uses pressurized steam to quickly and evenly cook foods.

How to pressure cook
Prep
Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Preheat

1. Place the inner cooking pot into the cooker base.
2. Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot.
3. Place the lid on top of the cooker base and lock the lid.
   See ‘How to lock the lid’ below
4. Select a smart program for cooking by pressing the button on the control panel.
   See ‘About pressure cooking programs’ above
5. Press the Smart Program again to toggle between time options: Less, Normal, or More.
6. If you want to increase or decrease the cooking time exactly, press + or –.
7. Press Pressure Level to toggle between pressure options: High or Low.
8. Keep Warm setting is ON by default. Press Keep Warm again to turn it off.
9. After 10 seconds, the display shows On and the Instant Pot Duo is building pressure.
   It can take 10–15 minutes to reach the pressure setting for cooking. Frozen foods increase the preheating time.
   The pressure level and time you choose will be the new settings the next time you use that Smart Program.
   Cook
10. When the pressure is ready, your Instant Pot Duo will beep once and start cooking.
11. The cooking timer starts counting down.
12. When the timer reaches 00:00, the cooker will beep 5 times, and the cooking stops.

You can press Cancel to stop a Smart Program at any time.

Release steam
Choose from the steam release method that works for your recipe.
See ‘How to release steam’ below for full details

Using liquid to create steam
Pressure cooking requires liquid in the inner cooking pot to produce the steam needed. Depending on the size of your Instant Pot Duo, here are the minimum amounts you’ll need:

Instant Pot Size	Minimum Liquid for Pressure Cooking*
3 Quarts / 2.8 Litres	1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL)
6 Quarts / 5.7 Litres	1 1⁄2 cups (12 oz / 375 mL)
8 Quarts / 7.6 Litres	2 cups (16 oz / 500 mL)

*Unless otherwise specified in the recipe.
Pressure cooking liquids should be water-based, such as broth, stock, soup, or juice. If using canned, condensed, or cream-based soup, add water as directed above.

How to lock the lid
For pressure cooking, the lid must be securely locked into place to
prevent steam from escaping. When you place the lid on the cooker base:

1. Line up [triangle symbol] on the lid with [open padlock symbol] on the cooker base.
2. Turn the lid clockwise until [triangle symbol] on the lid lines up with [triangle symbol] on the cooker base.

How to release steam
Instant Pot Duo can release steam in 2 different ways. Use the one that best fits the type of food you’re cooking.

Natural steam release
Releases steam gradually over time (up to 40 minutes or more) as after cooking stops.
Use for: Foods that can simmer, like stews, chili, pasta, oatmeal, beans, and grains.

1. After cooking, leave the steam release switch in the Sealing position until all pressure is released.
2. The float valve drops into the lid when all steam is released.
3. After steam release, turn the lid counterclockwise and remove the lid.

Quick steam release
Quickly releases steam after you press the steam release switch. Use for: Foods that tend to overcook, like vegetables and seafood.

1. After cooking, set the steam release switch to the Venting position and wait for all pressure to release.
2. The float valve drops into the lid when all steam is released.
3. After steam release, turn the lid counterclockwise and remove the lid.

Pressure Cooking Caution
This appliance uses pressure to cook. Allow the appliance to release all excess pressure and steam before opening the lid. Opening
the lid before pressure is released may result in burns, injury, and/ or property damage. Read more in the Safety, Maintenance, and Warranty document.

Pressure Cooking Smart Programs
These Smart Programs are designed to pressure cook specific types of food. You can adjust the settings as your recipe directs.

Soup/Broth

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	20 minutes (00:20)	35 minutes (00:35)	4 hours (04:00)
Best for	Soup without meat	Soup with meat	Bone broth / High fat content

Tip
The soup/broth remains clear due to a lack of boiling motion. Use Natural Release for soups with a higher starch content.

Meat/Stew

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	20 minutes (00:20)	35 minutes (00:35)	45 minutes (00:45)
Best for	Softer texture	Very soft texture	Fall-off-the-boat texture

Tip
Allow meat to rest for 5-30 minutes after cooking to retain juices.

Beans/Chili

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	25 minutes (00:25)	30 minutes (00:30)	40 minutes (00:40)
Best for	Firmer texture	Soft Texture	Very soft texture

Tips
Choose a setting based on the desired bean texture or adjust the cooking time manually. When cooking beans or legumes, always use the Natural Release method.
Make sure dry beans are completely submerged in water.

Poultry

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	5 minutes (00:05)	15 minutes (00:15)	30 minutes (00:30)
Best for	Softer texture	Very soft texture	Fall-off-the-boat texture

Tip
Allow meat to rest for 5-30 minutes depending on size. It will retain cooking juices for tender, succulent meat.

Rice

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time (Auto)	8 minutes (00:08)	12 minutes (00:12)	15 minutes (00:15)
Best for	Al-dente / White Rice	Normal texture / White Rice	Softer texture / White Rice

Tip
The Instant Pot Duo automatically adjusts cooking time depending on the volume of rice; the display will show Auto. You can adjust the cooking time and setting to achieve the desired texture.
Use a 10-minute timed steam release for fluffy rice.

Multigrain

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	20 minutes (00:20)	40 minutes (00:40)	1 hour +45 minutes soaking (01:45)
Best for	Al dente / Brown rice	Brown or wild rice	Tough grains or a mixture of grains and beans

Tip
The More setting will add 45 minutes for soaking grains/beans with 60 minutes of pressure cooking.

Porridge

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	5 minutes (00:05)	20 minutes (00:20)	30 minutes (00:30)
Best for	Oatmeal: steel cut or rolled	Pudding, porridge, or congee	Porridge or congee with a mixture of various grains

Tips
Adjust cooking time as the recipe directs.
Use Natural Steam Release when cooking foods that expand.

Steam

Pressure	Low / High
Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	3 minutes (00:03)	10 minutes (00:10)	15 minutes (00:15)
Best for	Vegetables	Fish and seafood	Meat

Tips
Use the provided steam rack to elevate food above the cooking liquid. Use Quick Steam Release to avoid overcooking food.

SAUTÉING

Use Sauté in place of a frying or saucepan. Sautéing can deepen the flavors of your food, or can simmer, thicken or reduce sauces.
Choose from these settings in the Sauté Smart Program:

Setting	Less 170 F / 77 C	Normal 154 F / 68 C	More 143 F / 62 C
Cooking time	30 minutes (00:30)	30 minutes (00:30)	30 minutes (00:30)
Best for	Simmering, thickening, and reducing liquids	Pan-searing or sautéing	Stir-frying or browning meat

 

How to sauté

Prep
Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Preheat

1. Place the inner cooking pot into the cooker base.
2. Press Sauté.
3. Cycle through temperature presets to select Less, Normal, or More.
4. Press – / + to adjust the cooking time.
5. After 10 seconds, the cooker beeps 3 times and the Display shows ON.

Cook

1. When the display shows Hot, add ingredients.
2. When the timer ends, the cooker beeps 10 times and the display shows End.
3. Press Cancel if you want to finish cooking before the timer runs out.

Deglazing
Deglazing is the process of adding a liquid to a hot pan, releasing all of the delicious, caramelized pieces stuck to the bottom.

1. Remove food from the inner pot.
2. Add water, broth, or wine.
3. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to loosen food stuck to the bottom of the inner cooking pot.

Sautéing before Pressure or Slow Cooking
Quite often, you’ll want to sauté foods to brown them before further cooking them.

1. Sauté ingredients.
2. Press Cancel.
   You can deglaze the inner cooking pot now before switching to Pressure Cook or Slow Cook (see Deglazing Inner Pot)
3. Select from the Smart Program.

SLOW COOKING

Slow Cook lets you make your favorite simmering and stewing recipes — just like grandma used to make. This program does not use pressure to cook food. Make sure the steam release is set to Venting or use a glass lid with a venting hole.

Choose from these settings in the Slow Cook Smart Program:

Setting	Less	Normal	More
Best for	‘Low and Slow’ cooking	Medium setting equivalent on traditional slow cookers	High-setting equivalent on traditional slow cookers
Cooking Time	8 hours (08:00)	6 hours (06:00)	4 hours (04:00)

 

How to slow cook

Prep
Cut, chop, season, or marinate your ingredients according to your recipe.

Cook

1. Place the inner cooking pot into the cooker base.
2. Add ingredients to the inner cooking pot.
3. Place the lid on top of the cooker base and lock the lid.
4. Press Slow Cook.
5. Cycle through temperature presets to select Less, Normal, or More.
6. Press – / + to adjust cooking time
7. Keep Warm setting is On by default. Press Keep Warm again to turn it off.
8. After 10 seconds, the display shows On and displays a timer.

Keep Warm
When cooking completes, the display shows End if Keep Warm is turned off. If not, the timer begins counting from 00:00 up to 10 hours (10:00).

YOGURT MAKING
You can use your Instant Pot Duo to easily make delicious, fermented dairy and non-dairy yogurt.
Choose from these settings in the Yogurt Smart Program:

Setting	Less	Normal	More
Cooking Time	24 hours (24:00)	30 minutes* (00:30)	3 minutes (00:03)
Best for	For lower temperature fermentation or Jiu Niang, a sweet, fermented rice dessert	Fermenting milk after culture has been added	Pasteurizing milk Display shows boiL

* You can adjust the time from 30 to 99 minutes

How to make yogurt

Pasteurizing Milk

1. Insert the inner pot into the cooker base.
2. Add unpasteurized milk to the inner pot.
3. Place and close the lid.
4. Press Yogurt.
5. Press Yogurt again to cycle through Less, Normal, and More.
6. After 10 seconds, the display shows boiL.
7. When pasteurization finishes, the display shows End.

Note: Milk must reach a minimum of 161°F / 72°C for pasteurization to occur

Adding Culture/Starter

1. Allow pasteurized milk to cool to 43°C / 110°F.
2. Add a starter culture to the milk according to package instructions. If using plain yogurt as a starter, ensure that it contains an active culture. Mix in 2 tbsp (30 mL) of yogurt per 1 gallon (3.7 L) of milk or follow a trusted recipe.
3. Place and close the lid.

Ferment

1. Press Yogurt.
2. Cycle to Normal by pressing Yogurt again; the display shows 8 hours (08:00).
3. Use the – / + buttons to adjust the fermentation time if needed.
4. After 10 seconds the cooker begins heating; the display shows the timer counting up to the set time from 00:00.
5. When fermentation completes, the cooker beeps and the display shows End.
   A longer fermentation period will produce tangier yogurt
6. Allow yogurt to cool.
7. Place in fridge for 12–24 hours to develop flavors.

How much to make?

Instant Pot Size	Minimum Milk Volume	Maximum Milk Volume
3 Quarts / 2.8 Liters	2 Cups (16 oz / 500 mL)	2 Quarts (64 oz / 1.9 L)
6 Quarts / 5.7 Liters	4 Cups (32 oz / 1000 mL)	4 Quarts (128 oz / 3.8 L)
8 Quarts / 7.6 Liters	6 Cups (48 oz / 1500 mL)	6 Quarts (192 oz / 5.7 L)

 

KEEP WARM
The Keep Warm setting turns on automatically after cooking on all Smart Programs except Sauté and Yogurt. You can also use Keep Warm to reheat food.

Keep warm after cooking

1. When automatic warming begins, the timer shows the time passed, up to 10 hours.
2. To turn automatic warming off (either during cooking or during automatic warming), press Keep Warm and the light above the button turns off.

Reheat and keep warm

1.  When in Standby mode, press Keep Warm.
2. Press again to cycle through Less, Normal, and More temperature levels.
3. Press the – / + buttons to set a timer for up to 10 hours.

CLEANING

Clean your Instant Pot Duo after each use. Always unplug the unit and let all parts cool to room temperature before cleaning. Before use or storing, make sure all surfaces are dry.

Part	Cleaning instructions
Accessories •  Steam Rack •  Condensation Collector	•  Wash after each use •  Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap or wash in dishwasher, top rack •  Never use harsh chemical detergents, powders, or scouring pads on accessories •  Empty and rinse the condensation collector after each use
Lid and Parts •  Anti-Block Shield •  Sealing Ring •  Steam Release Valve •  Float Valve •  Silicone Cap	•  Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap or wash in dishwasher, top rack •  Remove all small parts from the lid before washing. •  With the steam release valve and anti-block shield removed, clean the interior of the steam release pipe to prevent clogging. •  To drain water from the lid after dishwashing, grasp the lid handle and hold the lid vertically over a sink, then turn it all the way around •  After cleaning, store the lid upside down on the cooker base •  Store sealing rings in a well-ventilated area to disperse odor •  To eliminate odors from the sealing ring, add 1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL) water and 1 cup (8 oz / 250 mL) white vinegar to the inner cooking pot, and run Pressure Cook for 5–10 minutes, then use Quick Steam Release
Inner Cooking Pot	•  Wash after each use. •  Hand wash with hot water and mild dish soap or wash in dishwasher* •  Hard water stains may need a vinegar-dampened sponge and scrubbing to remove •  For tough or burned food residue, soak in hot water for a few hours before cleaning •  Dry all exterior surfaces before placing them in the cooker base

Part	Cleaning instructions
Power cord	•  Use a barely damp cloth to wipe any particles off the cord
Cooker base	•  Wipe the inside of the cooker base as well as the condensation rim with a barely damp cloth, and allow it to air dry •  Clean the outside of the cooker base and the control panel with a soft, barely damp cloth or sponge

*Some discoloration may occur after machine washing, but this will not affect the cooker’s safety or performance.

In the manual
For full details about removing lid parts for cleaning, read the User Manual, available at instanthome.com

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Product specifications

Model	Volume	Wattage	Power	Weight	Dimensions
Duo Mini v5	3 Quart 2.8 Litres	700 watts	120V/ 60Hz	3.9 kg 8.6 lbs.	in:11.4Lx10Wx11.2H cm:29Lx25.5Wx28.5H
Duo 60 v5	6 Quart 5.7 Litres	1000 watts	120V/ 60Hz	5.35 kg 11.8 lbs.	in:13.4Lx12.2Wx12.5H cm:34Lx31Wx31.7H
Duo 80 v5	8 Quart 7.6 Litres	1200 watts	120V/ 60Hz	7.16 kg 15.79 lbs.	in:14.8Lx13.3Wx14.2H cm:37.6Lx33.8Wx36.1H

Instant Brands Inc.,
495 March Road, Suite 200 Kanata, Ontario, K2K 3G1 Canada
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